Star Tribune
Pete Stauber, Jennifer Schultz polite but pointed in MN debate
DULUTH – Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber and Democratic challenger Jennifer Schultz may differ on culture war issues, but showed somewhat similar priorities Tuesday night when it comes to matters critical to their northern Minnesota district.
A 40-minute debate televised by Duluth-based WDIO News was the first and only in the congressional rematch. It showcased cordial candidates who took shots at each other as northern Minnesotans do: through smiling, gritted teeth.
“Jennifer, thanks for joining me once again,” Stauber said toward the end, before pivoting to a barb. “No matter how hard my opponent tries, she cannot run from the extreme, far-field left politics of the Biden-Harris administration that has resulted in skyrocketing prices, open borders — wide open southern border — and chaos and wars abroad.”
And Schultz’s voice was measured as she attacked Stauber’s voting record and positions, including his opposition to abortion and vote against birth control access.
“My opponent has been in office for six years,” she said. “He has done almost nothing in Congress. … I’m very worried about that, and you should be as well.”
Stauber, seeking his fourth term, easily beat Schultz in 2020 with 57% of the vote, and his campaign has outraised hers this year 2 to 1. The recently expanded eighth district, that until 2018 had been a DFL stronghold, covers about one third of the state — west beyond Bemidji, south to outer-ring Twin Cities suburbs and all of the northeast.
A Duluth native, Stauber is a retired police officer and former professional hockey player. He and his wife, Jodi, are raising six children in Hermantown.
Schultz is an economics instructor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She served eight years in the Minnesota Legislature and lives in Duluth with her husband and two teenage sons.
Star Tribune
The Great Halloween potential snow accumulation of 2024 is upon us
In Minnesota, the real “October surprise” will always be the weather.
We started the week in shorts, crunching through the last of the autumn leaves, basking in temperatures that soared into the 70s. We knew it wouldn’t last. The forecast told us it wouldn’t last. The storm clouds gathering on the horizon told us it wouldn’t last.
It didn’t last. Wednesday’s chilly rains hint at snow in the forecast for Halloween. Forget the Blizzard of ‘91 and start layering your costumes for the Potential Accumulation of ‘24.
At the National Weather Service’s Twin Cities office, meteorologists have tracked this year’s wild weather gyrations, from weirdly snowless winter to soggy spring to stormy summer to a long, warm autumn drought. Whatever the weather, Minnesota seemed to get too much of it or not enough. Now, surprisingly, central Minnesota is looking at the possibility of this year’s first and last October snowfall.
“We’ll have snow mixed in with rain early Thursday morning,” said meteorologist Jacob Beitlich. “But as you go through the morning, there’s going to be a narrow band of heavy snow that’s going to develop.”
Northeast and central Minnesota into northwest Wisconsin are most likely to see that heavy snow land on their jack-o’-lantern, Beitlich said. Unlike last Halloween’s snowstorm, the ground should be warm enough to keep the snow from turning the Thursday commute into a complete mess.
“Most folks will have a wet driveway in the morning, but there will be some of us that will see snow that will be heavy at times in the morning,” he said.
By the time any trick-or-treaters hit the streets in the evening, the snow will probably be gone, but it will be a raw, damp and blustery night. Temperatures will drop into the 30s, the winds will pick up and plenty of Minnesotans will take a page from the 1991 playbook and layer those costumes. Pirate costume too drafty? Cut some eyeholes in a blanket – boom, you’re a pirate ghost. Already planning to trick-or-treat as a ghost? Throw a parka over your sheet – now you’re the ghost of an arctic explorer.
Star Tribune
How a Wisconsin pizzeria’s error led dozens to eat pizza made with cannabis oil
The total number of people who were hospitalized as a result of the contaminated pizza and the extent of the injuries were not immediately clear. The health department did not immediately respond to a question seeking that information. But the department said it had “received dozens of reports” from people feeling affected and alluded to multiple people having been sent to the hospital.
“Possible THC-related symptoms include dizziness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, hallucinations, short term memory impacts, time distortion, and sleepiness,” the department said. “Keep in mind each person’s reaction may be different, and the concentration of THC in the pizza can vary by piece.”
The comments on Famous Yeti’s social media posts were overwhelmingly positive. Many people expressed appreciation for the business’ openness about its mistake and expression of regret. A few customers also — possibly in jest — saw the news as even more reason to patronize the restaurant.
“When i come and I wink twice,” one commenter wrote, “I want that pizza alright lol.”
Star Tribune
Friends testify about Madeline Kingsbury’s abuse in Adam Fravel trial
DuBois also told the court about a talk she had with Kingsbury in mid-March 2023, a few weeks before Kingsbury went missing. Kingsbury had planned to leave Fravel by then, but she told DuBois that Fravel had said “she would not be leaving with his kids,” according to DuBois.
In a meeting at a hotel near Mayo around the same time, DuBois said she noticed a reddish mark around Kingsbury’s neck. DuBois asked Kingsbury if there was anything Kingsbury needed and later provided her with some concealer so others wouldn’t notice.
“(Kingsbury) said she was figuring out a plan so that it didn’t happen again,” DuBois said.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Zach Bauer pointed out that DuBois, Scott and Kolka all became familiar with each other after Kingsbury’s disappearance, implying their conversations about the case may have led them to become biased against Fravel.
Bauer challenged Kolka on how she stored items she took from Kingsbury’s house in April 2023, when Kingsbury was still considered missing. Kolka turned over to law enforcement bedsheets that came from Kingsbury’s house after Kingsbury’s body was found in June 2023, but Bauer pointed out those items, as well as other evidence law enforcement examined at Kolka’s house, wasn’t properly secured.
“Anybody could have come through the house at that time,” he said during questions.